A Great Big, Brand New World

I can't begin to tell you how much Leah's puppies have grown in the last couple of weeks. They are still cute as can be, but little they are not! They are not timid about exploring and have a rip-roaring time whenever they get out of the puppy yard in the basement.

It didn't take long for them to learn that attacking the newspapers as I cleaned up was loads of fun, making my task next to impossible. So, we started letting them run loose in the basement while the puppy yard got cleaned. This is great fun, considering all the stuff stored in our basement. There are endless possibilities for climbing, crawling, chewing, running, jumping...all the things puppies love to do. Even though I have to clean up the occasional potty mess on the floor, it's still a lot easier than trying to put down clean papers with six puppies jumping around.

Robin and I took them to the vet last Monday for their first vaccinations and worming. It was their first time outside the house. Although I had introduced them to the crates a few times, the 45-minute drive over the mountains was quite loud with their whining, barking, and howling. They finally got quiet about five minutes before we arrived at the animal hospital. Several staff members stopped by the exam room to see them, and I'm pretty sure everyone in the building could hear them. They were quite good getting their checkups, shots, and wormers. No one cried when the needle went in, and everyone swallowed their yellow, goopy wormer fairly easily. When we were finished, I think there were only two puddles on the exam room floor. The ride home was much quieter. For one thing, the babies were tired, and the vet said they might be a little slow for a few hours due to the vaccine. They sure were glad to get home to their puppy yard.

Today they got their first taste of fresh air and sunshine. The temperature was in the 50s here this afternoon, with bright sun and no wind. We took the dogs - all nine of them! - outside to play in the yard. The puppies were timid for about 30 seconds after we put them on the ground, and then it was nonstop: running, jumping, and exploring all over the place. Leah was tickled pink to have them outside. She played with them and showed them her favorite toys: a green Kong squeaky toy and several flat basketballs. Cheyenne played with them too, but couldn't understand why they wouldn't chase her. And Red, well, Red was a bit disconcerted by the whole thing. He's not been overly interested in the pups since they were born, and he's still not excited by them at all. But he didn't snap at them, which is good.

Ever since the puppies started moving around with ease I have not been able to get very many good photos. If I do get a good one here or there, it's because of sheer luck or divine intervention because they are never still long enough to compose a nice shot. Here are the best of what I took today.

This is the little guy that is built like Leah. He's going to be tall, I think.

I think this is little Miss Adventure, as I call her. She was the first one to
learn to climb over the puppy yard gate. She's also a snuggler!

Like I said, running, jumping, and exploring.

Amid all the fun and adventure, there was time for a few stops at the milk bar.

Red wasn't sure about all those little dogs running around his yard.

He was very patient, though, at least for a little while.

I think this is the closest I got to a family portrait! I think only one puppy
is missing. They seemed puzzled by Red's lack of milk spouts!

Could this be the beginning of herding behavior?

This shot was one of those divine intervention ones, I think!

Their little noses were bombarded with a world of new smells.

Like mother, like daughter.

Run, run, run!

Jump, jump, jump!

Hop, hop, hop!

Can you believe they were ever this small? They'll be ready for their forever homes in another ten days or so. It's been a sweet whirlwind puppyhood and it's already almost over. *sigh*